The latest designs for a £23m investment boost around Selby railway station have been unveiled.
The Selby station gateway scheme aims to increase public transport use, encourage sustainable travel and upgrade the public realm. Currently, on leaving the station, the view of the historic abbey is blocked by an industrial unit.
This unit will be removed and replaced with a new plaza, along with better links between the station, the bus station and the town centre for pedestrians and cyclists.
Changes have been made to the proposals as a result of public consultation.
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New Bridge idea scrapped
The plaza proposal has now been revised to make it easier to access on foot, with space for pedestrians made wider and more level, and more crossing points will be built.
Some people were concerned about parking for those who still want to drive.
As a result, pickup and drop off spaces are proposed opposite the taxi bays outside the station and new parking for rail station users will be moved to Cowie Drive.
The latest proposals also retain the overall layout and character of Selby Park to ensure its historic character remains intact.
A planned foot and cycling bridge over the River Ouse has been scrapped due to cost concerns, but the council said the option to build one remained open if further funding became available.
The cash for the scheme comes from the Leeds City Region’s Transforming Cities Fund, a major £317 million programme of transport infrastructure investment secured as part of the West Yorkshire devolution deal.
Selby District Councillor David Buckle, lead executive member for communities and economic development, said: “This next phase in the project has seen the original plans changed following the comments and feedback we received from members of the public.
“We’re now able to give much more detail about our vision for how this part of Selby can be transformed and this is a further opportunity for residents, commuters and businesses to look at the plans and let us know what they think.”
Consultation on the latest designs will close on November 12.
Construction on the scheme is scheduled to begin in autumn 2022 – taking 12 months – if the plans are approved.